Football
ESPN staff 9y

Danny Welbeck, Arsenal Premier League Rank, No. 46

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Beginning May 25, ESPN FC is counting down the top 50 players in the Premier League right now, as voted for by various columnists, editors and analysts. Who makes the cut? Disagree with our list? Tell us on Twitter using the hashtag #PremRank.

Why Danny Welbeck makes the list

Welbeck's season started with Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal declaring that he was not up to the standards expected of a player at his club. The Dutchman decided to sell him to Arsenal, yet his new boss Arsene Wenger will argue the striker has been a success in his first season as a Gunner.

United's decision to sell Welbeck to Arsenal came back to haunt them, as the Red Devils trainee scored the winning goal against his former club in the FA Cup quarterfinal at Old Trafford in March, undoubtedly the highlight of his time as an Arsenal player to date.

However, Welbeck moved to Arsenal with a stated desire to get in the team as a lead striker, rather than the wide player or the backup forward to more high-profile teammates. Yet the end-of-season analysis must be that he has failed in his mission to achieve that goal.

Second in line to Olivier Giroud for a start in Wenger's first choice lineup, Welbeck has missed some key chances and struggled to prove he is worthy of top billing. If Arsenal opt to sign another striker next summer, his first team hopes would be hit once again.
-- Kevin Palmer

The stats that tell the story

- Welbeck has scored four goals in 58 shots this Premier League season. That scoring rate of 6.9 percent ranks 195th in the league, far below his 11 percent scoring rate the previous three seasons with Manchester United.
- Scored one goal in 14 club games in 2015, after seven goals in 20 games for Arsenal in 2014.

What the experts say

"In the first half, Welbeck's first touch was off and he struggled to make an impact on the game. However, he worked tirelessly and grew in to the match as it went on. The goal was just reward for his selfless play and should provide a tremendous boost to his confidence. Arsenal fans will also have been delighted to see him celebrate his goal rather than opt for a muted display." -- James McNicholas, March 2015

"A fit Welbeck offers more than a sidelined Falcao and the Colombian has been first below his best and then injured ... given the lack of dynamism United's strikers have exhibited, Welbeck would have at least offered pace." -- Richard Jolly, November 2014.

"The stats back it up: Danny Welbeck is a better finisher than Mario Balotelli" -- WhoScored.com, October 2014.


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